Sowing your oats…as in your breakfast.
It’s a breakfast classic with so many types to choose from. There are the familiar Quaker oats which are rolled oats. Then there are steel cut oats. Then there are instant rolled oats. They all seem to be a healthy choice, but are they? Yes, that burning breakfast question most of you have pondered.
Different Types of Oats
Rolled Oats (old fashioned)- these oats are first steamed, then rolled, steamed again and then toasted. This means that they are partially cooked during processing and why they can cook fairly quickly.
Instant Rolled Oats- these oats have been rolled even thinner, then chopped up into almost a powder. These are the most processed and you will typically find them with added sugars and flavors.
Steel Cut Oats-these oats are as close to whole oats with no or minimal processing. These whole oats (also known as groats) are chopped into pieces. These take the longest of the oats to cook as they have not been processed or pre-cooked. However, these are the most beneficial.
Advantages of steel cut oats
minimally processed
contain most fiber
lower on the glycemic scale
The benefit of steel cut oats is how it affects your blood sugar levels.
Because of the high fiber and lower glycemic level, it doesn’t spike your blood sugar as the processed oats do. That means it will keep you full longer while you may be ready for a snack an hour after eating the processed oats. Keep in mind that those added sugars and flavors added to instant oats spike those blood sugar levels even more.
Even if you go for the steel cut oats, try to add a little protein such as a few nuts mixed into the oats to stabilize those blood sugar levels even more.
No time in the morning to cook your steel cut oats? No problem. check out this steel cut oat recipe that cooks overnight so it is all hot and ready when you wake up.
Ingredients
1 cup steel cut oats
4 cups water
1 tsp Himalayan sea salt
Directions
Combine ingredients in a 2 quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.
Enjoy this perfect way to warm yourself up in the morning!
All material in this newsletter is provided for information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this publication;instead readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information provided has not been approved the Food & Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease.